Why Great Partnerships Aren’t Built on Results — They’re Built on Effort
We’ve all heard the saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” In the world of real estate investing, few things are truer. But the secret to going far together isn’t just about splitting equity or sharing the workload — it’s about building partnerships on the right foundation.
And that foundation isn’t talent, experience, or even results.
It’s effort.
Marrying Complementary Skill Sets
When you're considering whether to take on a partner, most people focus on performance:
Who’s the best operator? The best negotiator? The best deal finder?
But the real key is pairing with people whose strengths cover your weaknesses. A great partner isn’t a mirror — they’re a counterbalance.
That’s exactly how one team of four mortgage professionals got started on their path to building a successful real estate business together. Each partner brought something different to the table:
- Two were strong originators
- One excelled at backend operations
- And one… wasn’t great at mortgages at all
But he was hardworking — and that mattered more.
Effort Over Outcomes
When the group decided to pursue real estate investing, they didn’t choose their strongest performer to lead the charge. They jokingly told the weakest mortgage producer:
“You’re the worst mortgage guy — so you go buy real estate for us.”
But here’s where their philosophy makes the difference: he was still paid the same amount as everyone else. They refused to tie compensation to short-term results because results fluctuate. Effort doesn’t.
Over time, they discovered something surprising:
The partner who only closed seven loans a month turned out to be a phenomenal builder. And ultimately, his building skills generated more income than the group’s mortgage production.
If they had judged him on results early on, they would have kicked out the very person who would later become the cornerstone of their business.
The Rule They’ve Followed for 28 Years
For nearly three decades, this group has operated with one guiding principle:
“We care about effort, not results.”
It’s the reason their partnership works. It’s the reason nobody keeps score.
And it’s why none of them ever felt the need to say, “You’re dragging us down.”
Effort Creates Accountability — and Lasting Partnerships
None of this means expectations disappear. Far from it.
A healthy partnership requires clarity:
- How many hours are you committing each week?
- What responsibilities are you taking on?
- What promises are you making to the team?
Results may fluctuate, but commitment shouldn’t.
The moment someone stops doing what they promised — that’s the real problem.
Not the slow month. Not the learning curve. Not the uneven skill sets.
People get hung up on fairness. But fairness in partnerships doesn’t mean equal output — it means equal effort.
The Bottom Line
Strong partnerships aren’t about who performs the best today.
They’re about who shows up consistently over time.
Match your strengths. Fill each other’s gaps.
And build a culture where effort is valued above all else.
That’s how you go further — together.
